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. 2024 Sep 12:11:2333794X241275267.
doi: 10.1177/2333794X241275267. eCollection 2024.

Prevalence of Co-Infections and Pathogens in Hospitalized Children with Acute Respiratory Infections: A Comparative Analysis Between SARS-CoV-2 and Non-SARS-CoV-2 Cases

Visal Moolasart  1 , Ravee Nitiyanontakij  1 , Srisuda Samadchai  1 , Somkid Srisopha  1 , Priyanut Atiburanakul  1 , Suthat Chottanapund  1 , Sumonmal Uttayamakul  2
Affiliations

Prevalence of Co-Infections and Pathogens in Hospitalized Children with Acute Respiratory Infections: A Comparative Analysis Between SARS-CoV-2 and Non-SARS-CoV-2 Cases

Visal Moolasart et al. Glob Pediatr Health. .

Abstract

Objectives. We aimed to compare the prevalence of co-infections, pathogens, and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 acute respiratory infection (ARI) and non-SARS-CoV-2 ARI, among hospitalized children. Methods. We conducted an observational cross-sectional study of hospitalized children <15 years with ARI, and lasting respiratory symptoms <14 days, using polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal specimens. Results. Of the 184 children with ARI analyzed, 122 were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and 62 were not. SARS-CoV-2 ARI had a significantly lower rate of co-infection than non-SARS-CoV-2 ARI (2.5% vs14.5%, P = .003). SARS-CoV-2 ARI children were significantly associated with a less empirical antibiotics (aOR = 0.09, CI = 0.03-0.21; P = .000), more pneumonia (aOR = 5.15, CI = 1.77-14.95; P = .003), and more abnormal chest X-ray (aOR = 2.81, CI = 1.38-5.71; P = .004). Conclusions. Although SARS-CoV-2 ARI in hospitalized children was associated with pneumonia and abnormal chest x-rays, empirical antibiotics may not be necessary for treating mild to moderate cases.

Keywords: SARS CoV-2 ARI; antibiotic; children; co-infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flowchart of SARS-CoV-2 infection with ARI and non-SARS-CoV-2 infection with ARI among hospitalized children.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Prevalence of co-infection and comparative analysis between SARS-CoV-2 ARI and non-SARS-CoV-2 ARI among hospitalized children.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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